Abstract
Multiscale porous silica monoliths functionalized with potassium/copper hexacyanoferrate (HCF) have been evaluated for the column extraction of cesium from natural water. Compared with commercial silica gel particles, results show that the hierarchically porous architecture of the monoliths improves the bed efficiency in column extraction, and the selectivity, distribution coefficient and exchange kinetics in batch extraction. Cesium breakthrough experiments show that these preferable properties of the monolithic structure are maintained in column operation. This analysis of the batch and breakthrough experiments is supported by scanning and transmission electron microscopy data, residence time distributions, and reactive transport modeling assuming dispersive flow in the macroporous intraskeletal channels and diffusion inside the walls of the structure and the HCF aggregates.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
